PTW

I am looking at organising a tour to the french alps in may 2009.
My idea is to hire a mini bus and drive with our cycles on board.
I have sourced a number of chalets the will do us bed and breakfast for 40 euros a night. Evening meal with wine would be another 25-30 euros.
I am looking for 8 to 10 interested in the trip.
Please reply here and we could set up a meeting to discuss.

Dave

Yeah, I'm definitely interested. I like hills, and mountains are even better.

Of course I might not think that by the time I've gone over an alp...

How about discussing the idea at the Club night " Big Ride " meeting on the 12th of September ?

Dave,
the boss has given me a pass! so I'm definately interested. Let me know of any developments or meeting dates.

best regards

Andrew

I will bring some details to the September meeting on the 12th.

What's the weather like that time of year? On my 'Road to Paris' DVD looks like you are better off organising a ski holiday that time of year in the Alps.

I wait to be corrected!

Last week of May should be ok. So I am told by the chalet owner. However the tour is open to ideas if you think June is better I will go for that but any later it starts getting busy and the prices go up. heres thee write fromthat area.
Cycling over the Joux Plane pass
In cycling circles, the Joux-Plane pass is recognised as one of the six most difficult passes in the French mountains, with the Galibier, Izoard, Alpe d'Huez, Mont Ventoux and Tourmalet. The pass has often constituted a decisive stage for cyclists in the Tour de France© and Dauphiné Libéré© cycle races. Climbing it on a bike from Samoëns, quite apart from a physical performance that requires a good level of training, provides an opportunity for some wonderful views of the valley, followed by the Mont-Blanc range from its most majestic angle... The road is closed to heavy goods vehicles, and it is not a main road; this is another plus for cyclists.
Here is some technical data:
The route shown here starts from Samoëns and follows the D 354 road.
Start altitude: 721 m
Altitude at the top of the pass: 1,691 m
Height climbed: 970 m over a distance of 13.1 km, i.e. an average gradient of 7.4%, but with stretches at more than 10%.
Difficulty: very difficult.

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Believe alot of the passes only open in June/July. I am potentially up for this, but am worried (having seen pictures of rugged up pros training on the ALps that time of year) that the weather may be harsh.

I will check again with the contacts I have made down there and bring all the information to the meeting on the 12th of September.

http://www.veloriders.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=72642

Have a look at this, some good advice and observations here.

the link doesnt take me anywhere

Should take you to www,veloriders.co.uk

Go to discussion - Road & General Cycling, the topic is French Alps in May.

Link works for me - maybe you have to be a member. Anyway - I guess we can discuss more in Sept!